res⋅o⋅lu⋅tion

a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group.

2.

a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

3.

the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

4.

the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

5.

the act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.

(Subsequent numbers, which had nothing to do with this post, were deleted)

New Years is a time when everyone starts thinking about resolutions and the changes one needs to make in order to have a "better" life. "Better" can refer to more (as in, money, power, creativity, possessions, etc) or less (as in, weight, negative influences, toxic relationships, and for some people it also includes power, possessions, etc).

I have come up with the phrase "Resolution Revolution 2009" in order to refer to resolutions recurring throughout 2009. To me it seems silly to pick one universal date to make changes in your life - I think these things should be a constant, not tied into one specific date. For example, if you know you need to lose weight in order to better your health, why wait until January 1 to institute changes? This goes for all the changes people need to make, not just weight. I know it's usually easier to procrastinate - and that I (personally) am usually convinced that if I have ____ (done/taken care of/in my possession/read/etc) first, then I'll undoubtedly be more successful accomplishing ____ (insert goal here). Why is that?

Without going into a bunch of psychology, reasoning, or excuses, I'm here to post a challenge. I'm challenging you (and myself) to stop putting off change. One day a year - and whether you meet or don't meet one goal - does not make you a success or failure. Personal success is not dependent on one goal. Life is an evolution and depends on constant change.

What are your goals for 2009? Have you written them down? Do you have both long and short term goals? And have you thought about the consequences if you aren't successful in meeting each goal?

A lot of times resolutions are tough to keep - which is why we put them off. When trying to meet a long term goal, the scientific community suggests rewarding yourself for successfully completing steps (or time periods) toward your desired result - that people are much more successful in realizing goals if they receive rewards for different phases. Do you think you are more likely to complete a goal if you are rewarded for completing phases on your goal journey?

There are many different realms people can set goals for themselves - personal (taking better care of ones self, learning a language), health (smoking cessation, weight loss), work (get the promotion, stop procrastinating), creativity (spend more time in the studio, complete one piece of art/week)...and on and on. Since my blog is focused on art, I'm going to make some creative resolutions here. I'm doing this because another point the scientific community agrees on is that by making a resolution public, you are more likely to stick to it.

In 2009, I am going to...* keep up with my blog. Whether it is posting new Woot Loot, fresh art, links to other amazing artists, reviews of books/products, or even just a good quote, I will make seven posts a week.* create at least one piece of art I really like every week. Things like my "ugly piece" do not count until they are completed. I can work on any number of pieces during a given week - but I must actually complete at least one piece I really like.* try at least one new technique a month and post the results. I have a whole binder of great things I want to try - and never get to them. This is the year I will wade through the list.* submit pieces/projects/articles to publications. Whether they get published or not is something I have no control over - but I can get over the fear of just submitting!* take my camera with me everywhere. I have a bad habit of leaving it at home - then wishing I had it with me. This may sound like it doesn't belong on this list - but it does. And here's why...I am constantly looking for pictures of texture, cropped pictures of different things to include in my art. I don't create pieces using pictures like this because I don't want to track down the person who took the original photo - and (whether this is true or not) it feels like my art isn't authentically me because I've used someone elses art in mine. I suppose this could easily be said about using other elements as well - using something Doodlebug or Around the Block puts out, for example. In my own wonky way of thinking, it doesn't feel the same. So I am going to take my digital camera with me everywhere.

I hope some of my resolutions will resonate with you - and that my public posting will encourage you to make a list of your own. I plan on referring to Resolution Revolution 2009 throughout the year - and I would love it if you would join me in this adventure. Why not start right now by leaving a comment with your resolution(s)?

To kick off Resolution Revolution 2009, I'm having another giveaway. The term "giveaway" seems so dull - so in my kingdom, giveaways will be known asWoot Loot. I had so much fun with the first one that I can't wait to kick off this latest Woot Loot! It is super easy to enter - but you must follow the instructions, lest you be disqualified...and we don't want that!!

Ways to get ONE ENTRY~ Leave a comment.~ Leave a SEPARATE comment with your resolution(s) for Resolution Revolution 2009 (one entry for each resolution)~ Follow me on Twitter (and leave a separate comment with your Twitter name)

THREE ENTRIES~ Blog about Resolution Revolution 2009 on your blog (come back and leave me a link to get your additional entries)

And what, dear subjects, are you entering to win? Well even though this one isn't a surprise...it would still be very cool to win - it's a handmade WATCH! Done in beautiful sodalite.

SODALITEColor: Mostly dark blue with some white calcite interspersed, can include small specks of pyrite. Is often confused withlapis lazuli. (Lapis has green included many times, which is how I usually tell them apart.)Healing Properties: Offers inner peace. Harmonizes inner being (conscious mind) with the subconscious mind. Promotes peace and harmony. Athletes use sodalite to promote endurance; for writers it is supposed to be "extra lucky". It is associated with the thyroid, weight loss, good communication and will give the wearer the confidence to speak more (which the Queen obviously does not need!). Good to keep around your house so its peaceful properties can surround you.

The face of the watch is genuine Geneva, with a sterling silver heart shape. It has small numbers and quarter hour markings around the face. Black hands (including a second hand). Sodalite chips and small rounds work with sterling silver balls and short tubes (with antiqued "x" markings) to make up a double band. The watch is finished off with a heart spring clasp, and has 5 sterling silver puffed heart charms next to the clasp. Is easily dressed up or down. The band is for a larger wrist. Retail value is $30.

As always, my camera is awful - take that into consideration when viewing the watch. :)

The not-so-fine print - but important info - PLEASE READ:This Woot Loot ends January 23, 2009 - the winner will be announced January 24, 2009. Please leave your email address in your comment(s) (if your comment doesn't link to your blog) so I can notify you if you win. Winner has 3 (THREE) days to respond to winning notification - if no response, I'll notify the runner up on the list. We'll just keep at it until someone responds and wants the prize. :) This time, the winner will be chosen by names pulled out of the crown by the Princess.

GOODLUCK!

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Royal Responses:

Hey, I need that gorgeous watch! My Big Lots $5 watch is about over. Your blog is the most entertaining thing I've done all day. I put your give-a-way on my blog so watch out for traffic jams....LOLHappy New Year!Patakamomto7@yahoo.com

hi :) I am new here to your blog and the yahoogroup wher ei saw this few minutes ago :) I will go voer to my blog and post your giveaway :) I enjoy spreading words of giveaways...I will be back in few minutes with the link.

This year I made the only resolution that I thought I might be able to keep and that was to have no resolution at all! It was not easy to do this because once I resolved not to be resolute about anything, well...I sort of broke my resolution...At any rate, This is the first year that I will not cut out chocolate, exercise more or surf less..I really think I can stick with it this year!

What a sweet watch and to help with inner peace--everyone should have one. my little sis ranchmama directed me here and I am glad I checked it out. Love your blog. My only resolution is to quit procrastinating so much and follow thru on all tasks. Diane--mackgirl63@yahoo.com

As for my resolution there is many things I would like to improve on. But one that I really want to focus on is take alittle bit of extra time to sit down and just have quality tv free time with my daughter. Our schedules have goitten busier and I don't want to lose our close connection.

My Resolution 2009 is to develop daily exercise into a normal routine in my life. I'm trying to make it a way of life instead of a chore that has to be done. I'm hoping by this summer it will come as natural to me as eating and sleeping.nanja[at]comcast[dot]net